Library to kick off summer reading program June 3

Joan HuffMidland Reporter-Telegram

Published 7:00 pm, Friday, April 10, 2009

By Joan Huff

MRT Correspondent

When the last school bell rings, you may be wondering what you are going to do to entertain your kids for the summer. Does exciting, free, games, prizes, and entertainment with a little learning thrown in sound like fun?

The place to be is the Midland County Public Library between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. June 3. This day marks the kickoff of "Deep in the Heart of Texas," the theme for this year's summer reading program.

Jennifer Harris, Children's Department division coordinator, said "This is the 51st year we have been associated with the Texas Library and Archive Commission."

Pre-registration takes place from May 26-June 2 at both the downtown location and the Centennial Library.

The whoops and hollers you might hear coming from the main library June 3 will be from the kids playing on the stick horses they have made, or from them playing "find the prizes in the hay" or ring toss on the cactus. There also will be face painting as well as Harlin the Balloon Man.

When kids sign up for the reading program, they will receive a package with a bookmark and other small prizes and a reading log. If they read each day, they are eligible for weekly prizes. Children can read at home or anywhere; they don't have to do it at the library.

Summer reading is important because according to Nation's Report Card, "The more time students spend reading, the better they perform. Summer reading helps students succeed in school and prepare for their future. By reading in the summer, skills are fresh when students start a new school year."

If a child is a reluctant reader, that is another reason to head to the library for summer reading. As a child sees other children enjoying reading, they may decide they like it, too, and start reading more. Summer is also a time they are able to choose books they want to read, not something assigned in school.

Harris already has weekly events planned for summer.

- 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays is storytime for kids ages 2-6. There will be songs, a theme for the day and a craft.

- 1 p.m. Tuesdays, first- through fifth-graders have the same activities, but at a more age-appropriate level.

- 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, first- through fifth-graders are offered a different story with activities.

- 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays the library will have activity centers offering games, science and crafts that will change each week.

"We also have several special events in addition to our weekly schedule," Harris said.

These include:

- Harlin the Magician will perform at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. June 18.

- The library is hosting a Super Sports Party at 2 p.m. July 6. Kids can wear the their favorite team's uniform or a sports costume and gather for fun and games.

- Andy Mason, a children's singer, will perform 2 p.m. July 16.

- Fancy Nancy tea party is planned for July 20, when kids can dress up in his or her play dress up clothes.

Aug. 6 marks the end of the reading program for the summer and a free picnic will be held complete with food, drinks and the jumpers for kids to play in. Those who turn in their completed reading logs will receive an invitation to the picnic as well as a certificate from the library and the state of Texas.

"We are hoping to have a competition between the schools as to who has the most kids completing their reading logs," Harris said. "The winning school will receive $500 for their library and a pizza party for those students at the school that participated."

The Midland County Public Library is located at 301 W. Missouri Ave., and the phone number is 688-4320. The Centennial Branch is at 3211 W. Wadley Ave., and the phone number is 699-0629.